Maccabi Netanya threw open the gates of their training ground this week, and thousands of supporters answered the call, packing the facility for a session that felt more like a pre-season carnival than a routine work-out.
According to ONE, the yellow-and-black faithful arrived with smoke grenades and pyrotechnics, and hundreds streamed onto the pitch even before the squad had been formally introduced to the crowd. The atmosphere, the outlet reported, was exceptionally festive from the first whistle.
The turnout comes with real momentum behind it. Netanya opened their Toto Cup campaign on July 25 with a 3-1 win away over Hapoel Jerusalem in their Group B fixture, a result that has lifted expectations heading into the new season.
Bassam Zaroura put Netanya ahead early before Israel Daffa equalised for Jerusalem, and Oz Biloo restored the lead before half-time. The scoring was capped in the 75th minute by 16-year-old Yarin Abuhatzeera, who struck his first senior goal with what was described as an excellent finish just days after coming through the club's youth ranks.
It was Abuhatzeera, along with summer signing Dolev Haziza, club captain Karem Jaber and midfielder Maor Levi, who drew the loudest ovations at the open session, with fans showering the group in what ONE called abundant encouragement and support throughout the workout.
Haziza arrived at Netanya this summer on a two-year deal after his contract at Maccabi Haifa was terminated, one of several moves the club has made to strengthen the squad under new head coach Roni Levi, who returned to Netanya on an 18-month contract having previously managed the club back in 2015.
By the end of the session, fans had mobbed the players so thoroughly that several were left, in ONE's description, stripped down to just their shorts, before posing for photos with supporters. Merchandise stalls and family-oriented attractions were also set up around the ground to make a day of it.
Levi and his squad now turn their attention to Wednesday, when Netanya travel to face Maccabi Petach Tikva in their next Toto Cup Group B outing, looking to build on the derby win over Hapoel Jerusalem and the wave of enthusiasm it has generated among supporters.
